Chinese astronaut calls for peaceful use of outer space

China's first astronaut Yang Liwei delivers a speech at the 52nd plenary session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), in Vienna, capital of Austria, June 3, 2009. Yang Liwei on Wednesday called for peaceful development and use of outer space here at the 52nd plenary session of COPUOS of the United Nations. The 52nd session of COPUOS is being held from June 3 to June 12 at the UN office in Vienna. (Xinhua/Liu Gang)
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VIENNA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- China's first astronaut
Yang Liwei on Wednesday called for peaceful development and use of outer space
here at the 52nd plenary session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

China believes space resources should be explored and
used peacefully on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, mutual
complementarity and mutual learning for the benefit of all mankind, Yang said.

"The Chinese government has always maintained that outer space is the shared wealth of all mankind and has consistently advocatedf or the peaceful exploration and use of outer space for the common good and benefit of all human beings," he said.

China's first astronaut Yang Liwei (R) shakes hands with Ciro Arevalo Yepes (L), President of the 52nd plenary session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), in Vienna, capital of Austria, June 3, 2009.(Xinhua/Liu Gang)
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Yang also said China believes international space
cooperation should follow the basic principles embodied in a U.N. resolution of
1996 which was entitled "Declaration on International Cooperation in the
Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of All
States, Taking into Particular Account the Need of Developing Countries."

In developing its space industry, China has always
maintained a close and friendly relationship with the United Nations and
conducted extensive exchanges with astronauts and space agencies of many other
countries, Yang said.

China's space industry is "taking solid and steady
steps" in accordance with its own national conditions, he said.

Yang carried out China's first space mission,
Shenzhou-5, in October 2003.

The 52nd session of COPUOS is being held from June 3
to June 12at the UN office in Vienna.